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Paul H. Gardner, 95, of Danvers and formerly of Peabody, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 with his family by his side. He was the devoted husband of 54 years to Marianne (Giglio) Gardner, loving father of three, and proud Army veteran.

Paul was born in Hanover, MA on April 5, 1923, to the late Martha (Wolfendale) Gardner and Bertrand Gardner. He joined the U.S. Army in 1942 and served his country in WWII and the Korean War, achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class before his discharge in 1957 and subsequent retirement in 1964. Paul was a proud patriot and continued to serve throughout his life as an important part of several veterans’ organizations. He devoted his time to the Disabled American Veterans, American Legion Post 153, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1011, and Peabody Veterans Council, serving as commander in each, and was a Sergeant at Arms and lifetime member of the 24 Battalion Division American Legion 8. He received the Commander in Chief award from the VFW for “unselfish devotion to the concept of veterans helping other veterans.”

Paul was a tireless hard worker and provider for his family as a letter carrier for the U.S. Post Office for 20 years until his retirement in 1985. He was an avid lifelong Red Sox fan, cheering them on through one last World Series, and loved proudly marching in parades and attending any event where he could represent or support other veterans. He was tough as nails, but always quietly gentle. He is survived by his loving wife Marianne; his children, Judy Fitzpatrick and her husband Kevin of Dover, NH, Lisa Ballard and her husband Brian of Salem, MA, and Paula Seeley and her husband Kenneth of Beverly, MA; his grandchildren Eric and Angela Seeley, and Katie, Sarah, and Kelly Fitzpatrick; as well as many nieces and nephews and many loving friends.

A visitation will be held on Monday, January 14, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Conway, Cahill- Brodeur Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 15 at St. John the Baptist Church in Peabody at 11 a.m. A private burial will be held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the St. Jude Research Hospital or to the Wounded Warriors Project.